Cooktop appliance and a method for operating the same

ABSTRACT

A cooktop appliance is provided. The cooktop appliance includes a heating assembly with a first heating zone and a second heating zone that are radially spaced apart from each other. During a simmer or low heat mode of the cooktop appliance, the first heating zone is operated during a first portion of a time interval, and the second heating zone is operated during a second portion of the time interval.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to cooktop appliances and methods for operating cooktop appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain cooktop appliances include radiant heating elements for heating pots, pans and other containers with food items therein. The radiant heating elements can be operated at various settings. For example, the radiant heating elements can be operated at a low heat setting to simmer food items, or the radiant heating elements can be operated at a high heat setting to boil water or fry food items. When simmering certain food items, such as delicate cream sauce or tomato sauce, heat is preferably applied to such food items at a low and consistent power. The low and consistent power can prevent such food items from spattering, sticking and/or or discoloring when simmered.

Cooktop appliances can also include radiant heating elements of various sizes. For example, cooktop appliances can include large area radiant heating elements having a greater heating area than small area radiant heating elements. Large area radiant heating elements can have higher power densities relative to small area radiant heating elements. The large area radiant heating elements' high power densities can assist with quickly boiling water; however, the large area radiant heating elements' high power densities can also make simmering food items difficult.

Accordingly, a cooktop appliance with features for assisting with simmering of food items would be useful. In particular, a cooktop appliance having a radiant heating element and features for assisting simmering of food items with the radiant heating element would be useful.

In addition, certain large area radiant heating elements include multiple concentrically positioned zones and relays for selectively activating each zone of the radiant heating elements. Rapidly and/or frequently cycling the relays of such radiant heating elements can be undesirable because relays generally have an expected lifetime defined by the number of cycles such relays are expected to perform. Thus, a design goal for cooktop appliances can include reducing the number of cycles for radiant heating elements and increasing duty cycles of such radiant heating elements. However, longer duty cycles can hinder or obstruct application of low, even heat to containers on the cooktop appliance because of an associated temperature rise of food items in the containers that occurs with each duty cycle. In particular, long duty cycles can cause relatively large temperature amplitudes in food items within the containers compared to shorter duty cycles.

Accordingly, a cooktop appliance with a radiant heating element and features for assisting with simmering of food items while limiting cycling of the radiant heating element would be useful. Also, a cooktop appliance with a radiant heating element and features for assisting with simmering of food items while avoiding increasing a duty cycle of the radiant heating element would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a cooktop appliance. The cooktop appliance includes a heating assembly with a first heating zone and a second heating zone that are radially spaced apart from each other. During a simmer or low heat mode of the cooktop appliance, the first heating zone is operated during a first portion of a time interval, and the second heating zone is operated during a second portion of the time interval. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a cooktop appliance is provided. The cooktop appliance defines a radial direction. The cooktop appliance includes a first heating element and a second heating element positioned concentrically relative to the first heating element. The first and second heating elements are spaced apart from each other along the radial direction. A controller is in operative communication with the first heating element and the second heating element. The controller configured for initiating a low heat mode. The low heat mode has a plurality of cycles, and each cycle of the plurality of cycles has a time interval. The controller is also configured for operating the first heating element during a first portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles, deactivating the first heating element after the step of operating the first heating element, operating the second heating element during a second portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles, and deactivating the second heating element after said step of operating the second heating element.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a method for operating a cooktop appliance is provided. The method includes initiating a low heat mode. The low heat mode has a plurality of cycles, and each cycle of the plurality of cycles has a time interval. The method also includes operating a first heating element of the cooktop appliance during a first portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles, deactivating the first heating element after the step of operating the first heating element, operating the second heating element during a second portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles, and deactivating the second heating element after the step of operating the second heating element.

In a third exemplary embodiment, a method for operating a cooktop appliance is provided. The cooktop appliance includes a heating assembly with a first heating zone and a second heating zone that are radially spaced apart from each other. The method includes activating a low heating mode of the cooktop appliance, retrieving a predetermined on time and a predetermined off time in a lookup table of the cooktop appliance, operating the second heating zone of the heating assembly for the predetermined on time, the first heating zone of the heating assembly being in a deactivated state during the step of operating the second heating zone, deactivating the second heating zone after the step of operating the second heating zone, maintaining the second heating zone and the first heating zone in the deactivated state for the predetermined off time after the step of deactivating the second heating zone, operating the first heating zone of the heating assembly for the predetermined on time after the step of maintaining the second heating zone and the first heating zone in the deactivated state, the second heating zone being in the deactivated state during the step of operating the first heating zone, deactivating the first heating zone after the step of operating the first heating zone, and keeping the second heating zone and the first heating zone in the deactivated state for the predetermined off time after said step of deactivating the first heating zone.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a top, plan view of a cooktop appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a top, plan view of a two element, radiant heating assembly of the exemplary cooktop appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a top, plan view of a three element, radiant heating assembly of the exemplary cooktop appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 provides a schematic view of certain components of the exemplary cooktop appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method for operating a cooktop appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 6 illustrates a graph of an operating state of a heating assembly over time according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method for operating a cooktop appliance according to another exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a top, plan view of a cooktop appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Cooktop appliance 100 can be installed in various locations such as in cabinetry in a kitchen, with one or more ovens to form a range appliance, or as a standalone appliance. Thus, as used herein, the term “cooktop appliance” includes grill appliances, stove appliances, range appliances, and other appliances that incorporate cooktops.

Cooktop appliance 100 includes a top panel 110 for supporting cooking utensils, such as pots or pans, thereon. Radiant heating assemblies 120, 122 and 124 are mounted below top panel 110 such that heating assemblies 120, 122 and 124 are positioned below top panel 110, e.g., along a vertical direction V. While shown with four heating assemblies 120, 122 and 124 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, cooktop appliance 100 may include any number of heating assemblies 120, 122 and 124 in alternative exemplary embodiments. Heating assemblies 120, 122 and 124 can also have various diameters. For example, each heating assembly of heating assemblies 120, 122 and 124 can have a different diameter, the same diameter, or any suitable combination thereof.

As discussed in greater detail below, heating assembly 120 includes one heating element or zone. Conversely, heating assemblies 122 include two heating elements or zones, and heating assembly 124 includes three heating elements or zones. However, cooktop appliance 100 is provided by way of example only and is not limited to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1. For example, a cooktop appliance having one or more heating assemblies in combination with one or more electric or gas burner heating elements can be provided. In addition various combinations of number of heating assemblies, position of heating assemblies and/or size of heating assemblies can be provided.

A user interface 130 provides visual information to a user and allows a user to select various options for the operation of cooktop appliance 100. For example, displayed options can include a desired heating assemblies 120, 122 and 124, a desired cooking temperature, and/or other options. User interface 130 can be any type of input device and can have any configuration. In FIG. 1, user interface 130 is located within a portion of top panel 110. Alternatively, user interface 130 can be positioned on a vertical surface near a front side of cooktop appliance 100 or anywhere convenient for a user to access during operation of cooktop appliance 100.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, user interface 130 includes a capacitive touch screen input device component 132. Capacitive touch screen input device component 132 can allow for the selective activation, adjustment or control of any or all heating assemblies 120, 122 and 124 as well as any timer features or other user adjustable inputs. One or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, toggle/rocker switches, and/or touch pads can also be used singularly or in combination with capacitive touch screen input device component 132. User interface 130 also includes a display component 134, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user.

FIG. 2 provides a top, plan view of heating assembly 122 of cooktop appliance 100 (FIG. 1). As may be seen in FIG. 2, heating assembly 122 includes a first or inner heating element 200 and a second or outer heating element 210. Outer heating element 210 of heating assembly 122 is positioned concentrically relative to inner heating element 200 of heating assembly 122. In particular, inner heating element 200 of heating assembly 122 and outer heating element 210 of heating assembly 122 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along a radial direction R. Operation of inner and outer heating elements 200 and 210 of heating assembly 122 is discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 3 provides a top, plan view of heating assembly 124 of cooktop appliance 100 (FIG. 1). As may be seen in FIG. 3, heating assembly 124 includes an inner heating element 300 and an outer heating element 310. Outer heating element 310 of heating assembly 124 is positioned concentrically relative to inner heating element 300 of heating assembly 124. In particular, inner heating element 300 of heating assembly 124 and outer heating element 310 of heating assembly 124 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the radial direction R.

Heating assembly 124 also includes a middle heating element 320. Middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124 is positioned between inner heating element 300 of heating assembly 124 and outer heating element 310 of heating assembly 124, e.g., along the radial direction R. In particular, middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124 is spaced apart from inner and outer heating elements 300 and 310 of heating assembly 124, e.g., along the radial direction R. Operation of inner, outer and middle heating elements 300, 310 and 320 of heating assembly 124 is discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 4 provides a schematic view of certain components of cooktop appliance 100. As may be seen in FIG. 4, cooktop appliance 100 includes a controller 140. Operation of cooktop appliance 100 is regulated by controller 140. Controller 140 is operatively coupled or in communication with various components of cooktop appliance 100, including user interface 130. In response to user manipulation of the user interface 130, controller 140 operates the various components of cooktop appliance 100 to execute selected cycles and features.

Controller 140 may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 140 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. User input 130 and other components of cooktop appliance 100 may be in communication with controller 140 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.

Controller 140 is also in operative communication with heating assemblies 122 and 124 of cooktop appliance 100. As may be seen in FIG. 4, heating assembly 122 includes relays 202 and 212. Relays 202 and 212 of heating assembly 122 are each coupled to a respective one of inner heating element 200 of heating assembly 122 and outer heating element 210 of heating assembly 122. Utilizing relays 202 and 212 of heating assembly 122, controller 140 can selectively activate and deactivate inner heating element 200 of heating assembly 122 and outer heating element 210 of heating assembly 122.

Heating assembly 124 includes similar features. As may be seen in FIG. 4, heating assembly 124 includes relays 302, 312 and 322. Relays 302, 312 and 322 of heating assembly 124 are each coupled to a respective one of inner heating element 300 of heating assembly 124, outer heating element 310 of heating assembly 124 and middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124. Utilizing relays 302, 312 and 324 of heating assembly 124, controller 140 can selectively activate and deactivate inner heating element 300 of heating assembly 124, outer heating element 310 of heating assembly 124 and middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124. Cooktop appliance 100 also includes features for controlling operation of heating assemblies 122 and 124 during a low or simmer heat mode as discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for operating a cooktop appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Method 500 can be used to operate any suitable cooktop appliance. As an example, method 500 may be used to operate cooktop appliance 100 (FIG. 1). Controller 140 (FIG. 4) may be programmed to implement method 500. Utilizing method 500, a low or simmer heat mode of cooktop appliance 100 can be performed or implemented.

At step 510, controller 140 determines whether a low or simmer heat mode has been activated. As an example, a user can actuate user interface 130 to activate the simmer heat mode of cooktop appliance 100. In particular, the user can set cooktop appliance 100 to a low power setting, such as a level one or level two power setting on a scale of one to ten with level one being the lowest power setting, to activate the simmer heat mode of cooktop appliance 100. Controller 140 terminates method 500 if the simmer heat mode is not activated at step 510.

At step 520, controller 140 retrieves a predetermined on time and a predetermined off time in a lookup table of cooktop appliance 100 at step 520 if the simmer heat mode is activated at step 510. Controller 140 also looks up a number of heating elements in the lookup table at step 520. The lookup table can be stored in the memory of controller 140 or in any other suitable component of cooktop appliance 100.

As discussed in greater detail below, the predetermined on time and the predetermined off time correspond to time intervals during which each heating element of heating assemblies 122 and 124 are activated and deactivated, respectively. A respective predetermined on time and a respective predetermined off time can be stored in the lookup table for each heating element of heating assemblies 122 and 124 or a respective predetermined on time and a respective predetermined off time can be stored in the lookup table for the heating elements of heating assemblies 122 and 124. The predetermined on time and the predetermined off time for each heating element of heating assemblies 122 and 124 can be equal to one another or different from one another. For example, the predetermined on time and the predetermined off time for each heating element of heating assemblies 122 and 124 can be defined as a ratio of power outputs of each heating element of heating assemblies 122 and 124.

At step 530, controller 140 determines whether a double element heating assembly, e.g., heating assembly 122, or a triple element heating assembly, e.g., heating assembly 124, was activated at step 510. If controller 140 determines that heating assembly 124 was activated at step 510, controller 140 initiates a triple element simmer heating control loop 540. Conversely, controller 140 initiates a double element simmer heating control loop 550 if controller 140 determines that heating assembly 122 was activated at step 510. Loops 540 and 550 are configured for operating heating assemblies 124 and 122, respectively, during the simmer heat mode. It should be understood that inner, outer and middle heating elements 300, 310 and 320 may be operated in any suitable order during loop 540 in alterative exemplary embodiments. Similarly, it should be understood that inner and outer heating elements 200 and 210 may be operated in any suitable order during loop 550 in alternative exemplary embodiments.

During loop 540, controller 140 turns on or operates outer heating element 310 of heating assembly 124 using relay 212 for the predetermined on time at step 542. During step 542, inner heating element 300 and middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124 are in a deactivated state (e.g., turned off or operating with negligible heat output). After operating outer heating element 310 of heating assembly 124 for the predetermined on time at step 542, controller 140 deactivates outer heating element 310 of heating assembly 124 using relay 312 and maintains inner heating element 300, outer heating element 310 and middle heating element 320 in the deactivated state for the predetermined off time.

At step 544 of loop 540, controller 140 turns on or operates inner heating element 300 of heating assembly 124 using relay 302 for the predetermined on time. During step 544, outer heating element 310 and middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124 are in the deactivated state. After operating inner heating element 300 of heating assembly 124 for the predetermined on time at step 544, controller 140 deactivates inner heating element 300 of heating assembly 124 using relay 302 and maintains inner heating element 300, outer heating element 310 and middle heating element 320 in the deactivated state for the predetermined off time.

At step 546 of loop 540, controller 140 turns on or operates middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124 using relay 322 for the predetermined on time. During step 546, inner heating element 300 and outer heating element 310 of heating assembly 124 are in the deactivated state. After operating middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124 for the predetermined on time at step 546, controller 140 deactivates middle heating element 320 using relay 322 of heating assembly 124 and maintains inner heating element 300, outer heating element 310 and middle heating element 320 in the deactivated state for the predetermined off time.

Loop 540 continues to operate heating assembly 124 according to steps 542, 544 and 546 until the simmer heat mode of cooktop appliance 100 is terminated. As an example, a user of cooktop appliance 100 can actuate user interface 130 to terminate the simmer heat mode of cooktop appliance 100. As discussed above, it should be understood that steps 542, 544 and 546 need not be conducted in the order shown in FIG. 5 and may be performed in any suitable order in alternative exemplary embodiments. As discussed in greater detail below, loop 550 operates in a similar manner to loop 540 to operate heating assembly 122.

During loop 550, controller 140 turns on or operates outer heating element 210 of heating assembly 122 using relay 212 for the predetermined on time at step 552. During step 552, inner heating element 200 of heating assembly 122 is in the deactivated state. After operating outer heating element 210 of heating assembly 122 for the predetermined on time at step 552, controller 140 deactivates outer heating element 210 of heating assembly 122 using relay 212 and maintains inner heating element 200 and outer heating element 210 in the deactivated state for the predetermined off time.

At step 554 of loop 550, controller 140 turns on or operates inner heating element 200 of heating assembly 122 using relay 202 for the predetermined on time. During step 554, outer heating element 210 of heating assembly 122 is in the deactivated state. After operating inner heating element 200 of heating assembly 122 for the predetermined on time at step 554, controller 140 deactivates inner heating element 200 of heating assembly 122 using relay 202 and maintains inner heating element 200 and outer heating element 210 in the deactivated state for the predetermined off time. Loop 550 continues to operate heating assembly 122 according to steps 552 and 544 until the simmer heat mode of cooktop appliance 100 is terminated. As discussed above, it should be understood that steps 552 and 554 need not be conducted in the order shown in FIG. 5 and may be performed in an opposite order in alternative exemplary embodiments.

Method 500 can assist with applying heat evenly to a container on cooktop appliance 100 during the heat simmer mode. For example, by sequentially activating the various heating elements of heat assemblies 122 and 124, method 500 can assist with applying heat evenly such that tomato sauces do not boil and/or spatter and white or cream sauces do not adhere to a bottom of a container and are smooth during the simmer heat mode of cooktop appliance 100.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method for operating a cooktop appliance according to another exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Method 700 can be used to operate any suitable cooktop appliance. As an example, method 700 may be used to operate cooktop appliance 100 (FIG. 1). Controller 140 (FIG. 4) may be programmed to implement method 700. Utilizing method 700, a simmer heat mode of cooktop appliance 100 can be performed or implemented. FIG. 6 illustrates a graph of an operating state of heating assembly 124 over time while controller 140 operates heating assembly 124 according to method 700. It should be understood that inner, outer and middle heating elements 300, 310 and 320 may be operated in any suitable order during method 700 in alternative exemplary embodiments.

At step 710, controller 140 initiates a simmer heat mode of cooktop appliance 100. The simmer heat mode has a plurality of cycles, and each cycle of the plurality of cycles having a time interval. FIG. 6 illustrates a single cycle of simmer heat mode. It should be understood that controller 140 can operate heating assembly 124 such that the single cycle illustrated in FIG. 6 is repeated during the simmer heat mode of cooktop appliance 100.

At step 720, controller 140 turns on or operates a first heating element, such as inner heating element 300 of heating assembly 124 using relay 302. In particular, controller 140 operates inner heating element 300 of heating assembly 124 during a first portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles during step 720. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, controller 140 maintains inner heating element 300 of heating assembly 124 in an activated state during the first portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles, and controller 140 also maintains outer heating element 310 and middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124 in a deactivated state during the first portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles at step 720. A power output of inner heating element 300 of heating assembly 124 may be about a maximum power output of inner heating element 300 during step 720.

At step 730, controller 140 deactivates inner heating element 300 of heating assembly 124 using relay 302 after step 720. In particular, controller 140 can deactivate inner heating element 300 of heating assembly 124 immediately after the first portion of the time interval has elapsed. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, inner heating element 300, outer heating element 310 and middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124 are deactivated after step 720 and during step 730.

At step 740, controller 140 turns on or operates a second heating element, such as outer heating element 310 of heating assembly 124 using relay 312. In particular, controller 140 operates outer heating element 310 of heating assembly 124 during a second portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles during step 740. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, controller 140 maintains outer heating element 310 of heating assembly 124 in the activated state during the second portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles, and controller 140 also maintains inner heating element 300 and middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124 in the deactivated state during the second portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles at step 740. A power output of outer heating element 310 of heating assembly 124 may be about a maximum power output of outer heating element 310 during step 740.

At step 750, controller 140 deactivates outer heating element 310 of heating assembly 124 using relay 312 after step 740. In particular, controller 140 can deactivate outer heating element 310 of heating assembly 124 immediately after the second portion of the time interval has elapsed. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, inner heating element 300, outer heating element 310 and middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124 are deactivated after step 740 and during step 750.

Controller 140 can also operate heating assembly 122 according to method 700. In particular, controller 140 can be programmed to operate heating assembly 122 according to steps 710, 720, 730, 740 and 750.

The first and second portions of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles can be any suitable periods of time. For example, the first and second portions of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles may be about equal to each other. In particular, the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles may be about one minute, the first portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles may be about one second and the second portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles may also be about one second.

Method 700 can also include operating a third heating element, such as middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124. For example, after step 750, controller 140 can turn on or operate middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124 during a third portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles using relay 322. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, controller 140 maintains middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124 in the activated state during the third portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles, and controller 140 also maintains inner heating element 300 and outer heating element 310 of heating assembly 124 in the deactivated state during the third portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles.

Controller 140 can also deactivate middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124 using relay 322. In particular, controller 140 can deactivate middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124 immediately after the third portion of the time interval has elapsed. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, inner heating element 300, outer heating element 310 and middle heating element 320 of heating assembly 124 are deactivated after the third portion of the time interval has elapsed. The first, second and third portions of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles may be about equal to each other.

Method 700 can assist with applying heat evenly to a container on cooktop appliance 100 during the heat simmer mode. For example, by sequentially activating the various heating elements of heat assemblies 122 and/or 124, method 700 can assist with applying heat evenly such that tomato sauces do not boil and/or spatter and white or cream sauces do not adhere to a bottom of a container and are smooth during the simmer heat mode of cooktop appliance 100.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooktop appliance, the cooktop appliance defining a radial direction, the cooktop appliance comprising: a first heating element; a second heating element positioned concentrically relative to the first heating element, the first and second heating elements spaced apart from each other along the radial direction; and a controller in operative communication with the first heating element and the second heating element, the controller configured for initiating a low heat mode, the low heat mode having a plurality of cycles, each cycle of the plurality of cycles having a time interval; operating the first heating element during a first portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles; deactivating the first heating element after said step of operating the first heating element; operating the second heating element during a second portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles; and deactivating the second heating element after said step of operating the second heating element.
 2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein said step of operating the first heating element comprises: maintaining the first heating element in an activated state during the first portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles; and maintaining the second heating element in a deactivated state during the first portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles.
 3. The appliance of claim 1, wherein said step of operating the second heating element comprises: maintaining the first heating element in a deactivated state during the second portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles; and maintaining the second heating element in an activated state during the second portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles.
 4. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the first heating element is an inner heating element and the second heating element is an outer heating element, further comprising a middle heating element positioned between the inner and outer heating elements along the radial direction, the controller in operative communication with the middle heating element and configured for: operating the middle heating element during a third portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles; and deactivating the middle heating element after said step of operating the middle heating element.
 5. The appliance of claim 4, wherein said step of operating the middle heating element comprises: maintaining the inner heating element in a deactivated state during the third portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles; maintaining the outer heating element in the deactivated state during the third portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles; and maintaining the middle heating element in an activated state during the third portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles.
 6. The appliance of claim 4, wherein the first, second and third portions of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles are about equal to each other.
 7. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured for looking up the first and second portions of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles in a memory of the controller.
 8. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles are about equal to each other.
 9. The appliance of claim 1, wherein a power output of the first heating element is about a maximum power output of the first heating element during said step of operating the first heating element and a power output of the second heating element is about a maximum power output of the second heating element during said step of operating the second heating element.
 10. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles are defined as a ratio the watt density of first and second heating elements, respectively.
 11. A method for operating a cooktop appliance, comprising: initiating a low heat mode, the low heat mode having a plurality of cycles, each cycle of the plurality of cycles having a time interval; operating a first heating element of the cooktop appliance during a first portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles; deactivating the first heating element after said step of operating the first heating element; operating a second heating element during a second portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles; and deactivating the second heating element after said step of operating the second heating element.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of operating the first heating element comprises: maintaining the first heating element in an activated state during the first portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles; and maintaining the second heating element in a deactivated state during the first portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of operating the second heating element comprises: maintaining the first heating element in a deactivated state during the second portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles; and maintaining the second heating element in an activated state during the second portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first heating element is an inner heating element and the second heating element is an outer heating element, further comprising: operating a middle heating element of the cooktop appliance during a third portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles; and deactivating the middle heating element after said step of operating the middle heating element.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of operating the middle heating element comprises: maintaining the inner heating element in a deactivated state during the third portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles; maintaining the outer heating element in the deactivated state during the third portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles; and maintaining the middle heating element in an activated state during the third portion of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first, second and third portions of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles are about equal to each other.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the time interval of each cycle of the plurality of cycles are about equal to each other.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein a power output of the first heating element is about a maximum power output of the first heating element during said step of operating the first heating element and a power output of the second heating element is about a maximum power output of the second heating element during said step of operating the second heating element.
 19. A method for operating a cooktop appliance having a heating assembly with a first heating zone and a second heating zone that are radially spaced apart from each other, comprising: activating a low heating mode of the cooktop appliance; retrieving a predetermined on time and a predetermined off time in a lookup table of the cooktop appliance; operating the second heating zone of the heating assembly for the predetermined on time, the first heating zone of the heating assembly being in a deactivated state during said step of operating the second heating zone; deactivating the second heating zone after said step of operating the second heating zone; maintaining the second heating zone and the first heating zone in the deactivated state for the predetermined off time after said step of deactivating the second heating zone; operating the first heating zone of the heating assembly for the predetermined on time after said step of maintaining the second heating zone and the first heating zone in the deactivated state, the second heating zone being in the deactivated state during said step of operating the first heating zone; deactivating the first heating zone after said step of operating the first heating zone; and keeping the second heating zone and the first heating zone in the deactivated state for the predetermined off time after said step of deactivating the first heating zone.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising repeating said steps of operating the second heating zone, deactivating the second heating zone, maintaining the second heating zone and the first heating zone in the deactivated state, operating the first heating zone, deactivating the first heating zone and keeping the second heating zone and the first heating zone in the deactivated state for a duration of the low heat mode. 